Donna Karan

Donna Karan Designer History:

Donna Karan was born in 1948 as Donna Faske in New York. At early age in 1962 she slipped away from school to sell clothing at a neighborhood shop. When she was 18, she went to Parsons School of Design, wedded Mark Karan with whom she had a daughter named Gabrielle. She separated in 1983, and wedded her sweetheart from childhood, sculptor Stephan Weiss. At the age of 20 Karan, had a seasonal summer occupation with designer Anne Klein, and ultimately returned to Klein two years later in 1970, where she earned 3 Coty Awards. In 1974 Anne Klein passed away from cancer, and Karan finished Klein's collection. Karan and Dell 'Olio expanded Anne Klein into one of the biggest and most lucrative designer sportswear businesses in the country. In 1985 Donna went solo and launched the Donna Karan Collection. In 1988 she launched famous DKNY. Her series was made up of classic, matched work outfits that could easily mix-and-match, together with accessories. Karan’s brand is the wrapped, draped outfit that is managed and appealing but not overly sexy. She hardly ever uses artwork.

The French enterprise LVMH acquired Donna Karan in April 2001, even though she remains as Chief Designer. Karan's influence on the world of fashion and fragrance is shown in the simple fact that she markets over USD$150-million per year, and has earned the CFDA designer of the year award four times as well as the Coty American Fashion Critics Award four times. In 2001, authorities in New York City decided to recognize American fashion designers by placing bronze plaques along 7th Avenue, and Karan was granted a plaque in the fashion center of her hometown.

Donna Karan Fragrance History:

She launched her first perfume, Donna Karan Eau de Parfum, in 1992, together with Donna Karan. After two years Donna Karan Cashmere Mist perfume was presented with excellent acceptance. In that same year, she launched her first men's cologne, DK Men, succeeded by DK Men Unleaded in 1995. Chaos for Women fragrance made its first appearance in 1996. Four years later DKNY fragrances for men and women were presented, succeeded by Black Cashmere perfume in 2002 and DKNY Energy in 2003. DKNY Be Delicious for Women fragrance was released in 2004, with the men’s version reaching stores a year after. In 2006, she released Gold for Women fragrance.

Her fragrance range was a great success, especially DKNY Be Delicious perfume, and she has showed that the innovative effect she delivers to the world of fashion can be converted applied into the world of fragrance.